Scottish Premiership bring forward winter break due to COVID-19

The SPFL have announced that the Scottish Premiership will bring their winter break forward by two weeks, following the latest government restrictions to combat the spread of coronavirus.

On Tuesday, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed that all outdoor events in Scotland, including all levels of sport, will be limited to 500 people from December 26, lasting for a three-week period.

The original winter break was due to begin on January 3, however, following a SPFL board meetings there will be no top-flight fixtures until January 17.

Neil Doncaster, SPFL Chief Executive, said on their official website: "We have had intense and positive discussions with all cinch SPFL clubs over the past 24 hours, since the announcement by the Scottish Government of a three-week period of restrictions on fans attending matches.

"We have advised our clubs that any postponements increase the risk of further disruption to an already highly congested fixture calendar.

"There are mixed views amongst cinch Premiership clubs about what to do for the best. However, a majority favour the postponement of fixtures to give a chance for games scheduled to be played over the festive period to be played in front of fans, once the three-week period of restrictions comes to an end.

"The SPFL board has agreed to postpone the December 29 and New Year cinch Premiership fixture cards."

With regards to the lower divisions in Scotland, Doncaster added: "cinch Championship, League 1 and League 2 clubs voted to continue playing through the Government restrictions and we look forward to their festive fixtures over the next fortnight."

Celtic's away trip to St Johnstone as well as Rangers' home encounter with St Mirren on Boxing Day are to go ahead as planned, and they are among the final games to be played with full capacity crowds before Scottish restrictions begin.

The Scottish Premiership fixtures scheduled for December 29 will move as follows:

January 17:

Celtic vs. Hibernian

January 18:

Aberdeen vs. Rangers Dundee United vs. St Mirren Hearts vs. St Johnstone Livingston vs. Dundee Ross County vs. Motherwell

The Scottish Premiership fixtures scheduled for January 2/3 will move as follows:

February 1:

Dundee vs. Dundee United Hibernian vs. Hearts Livingston vs. St Johnstone Ross County vs. Aberdeen St Mirren vs. Motherwell

February 2:

Celtic vs. Rangers